The generality of virtuous women are like hidden treasures, they are safe only because nobody has sought after them.
Francois De La RochefoucauldRead
No persons are more frequently wrong, than those who will not admit they are wrong.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the importance of acknowledging one's mistakes, suggesting that failure to do so leads to repeated errors.
Francois De La Rochefoucauld highlights a critical aspect of human nature regarding the difficulty some individuals face in admitting their mistakes. This refusal to accept fault not only perpetuates a cycle of wrong decisions but also hinders personal growth and learning. By contrasting those who can recognize their errors with those who cannot, the quote serves as a reminder of the wisdom that comes from humility and self-awareness.
Themes
MistakesAdmissionWisdomSelf-AwarenessHumility
In practice
Example use cases
During a team meeting discussing project issues, one might say this quote to encourage openness and accountability.
More from Francois De La Rochefoucauld
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Some counterfeits reproduce so very well the truth that it would be a flaw of judgment not to be deceived by them.
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Conceit causes more conversation than wit.
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The defects and faults of the mind are like wounds in the body; after all imaginable care has been taken to heal them up, still there will be a scar left behind, and they are in continual danger of breaking the skin and bursting out again.
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To understand matters rightly we should understand their details; and as that knowledge is almost infinite, our knowledge is always superficial and imperfect.
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